April 25, 2003

HEALTH DEPARTMENT & THE MALES PLACE SPONSOR ROLE MODEL BASKETBALL GAME

  Charlotte, NC – The Mecklenburg County Health Department, The Males Place, Project ASSIST and Johnson C. Smith University are rewarding Charlotte-area young people for setting a good example.  For the 17 ^th straight year, some of Charlotte's most deserving youth will be honored at the Teen Role Model All-Star Basketball Classic.

 The Teen Role Model All-Star Basketball Classic takes place on Monday, April 28, 2003.  It begins at 6 p.m. at Johnson C. Smith University's Brayboy Gym, 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.  The game is free and open to the public.

 Teens have been selected to participate in the game after being nominated by their peers, community groups, coaches or teachers.  The Teen Role Model All-Star Classic's objectives are to recognize young people for their achievements in academics, citizenship, and to a lesser extent, athletics. 

The Classic is also an opportunity to expose greater Charlotte and Mecklenburg County area teens from diverse backgrounds to our community leaders, and to serve as an incentive to teens who are not currently participating in outside activities.

 The Males Place is a youth organization within the Mecklenburg County Health Department dedicated to helping teens live up to their potential.  Each year, the organization recognizes a group of Charlotte-Mecklenburg area young people as being Teen Role Models.  The Males Place provides support and counseling on male health and development issues including anger management, paternity counseling and pregnancy prevention.

 For more information about The Males Place, contact the program director Reggie Singleton at 704-336-6423.